Wes Craven

Born:2. august 1939

Place of Birth:Cleveland, Ohio, USA

Died:30. august 2015

Known For:Directing

Biography

Wes Craven, born Wesley Earl Craven on August 2, 1939, left an indelible mark on the horror genre with his innovative contributions as a film director, writer, producer, and occasional actor. His creative vision and storytelling prowess set him apart in the industry, earning him a reputation as a trailblazer in horror cinema. Craven's cinematic legacy is defined by a series of iconic films that continue to captivate audiences worldwide.

One of Craven's early works, "The Last House on the Left" (1972), showcased his ability to push boundaries and challenge conventional storytelling in the horror genre. The film's raw and unflinching portrayal of violence left a lasting impact on audiences and critics alike, establishing Craven as a filmmaker unafraid to explore the darker aspects of human nature.

In 1984, Craven unleashed "A Nightmare on Elm Street," a groundbreaking film that introduced the world to the infamous character Freddy Krueger. With its inventive premise and nightmarish visuals, the movie became a cultural phenomenon and solidified Craven's reputation as a master of horror. The success of "A Nightmare on Elm Street" propelled Craven to new heights of fame and cemented his status as a genre icon.

Craven continued to push the boundaries of horror with the "Scream" series, which revitalized the slasher genre in the 1990s. Known for its self-referential humor, clever twists, and iconic Ghostface killer, the "Scream" franchise became a massive success and further solidified Craven's reputation as a visionary filmmaker. His ability to blend suspense, wit, and scares set a new standard for horror movies and inspired a new generation of filmmakers.

Beyond his work in horror, Craven's influence extended to various genres, showcasing his versatility as a filmmaker. Whether exploring the depths of terror or delving into the complexities of human psychology, Craven's films always bore his distinct creative signature. His willingness to experiment with narrative conventions and visual styles set him apart as a true auteur in the world of cinema.

Throughout his career, Craven remained dedicated to his craft, constantly seeking to innovate and challenge audiences with his storytelling. His passion for filmmaking and commitment to pushing the boundaries of the horror genre left an enduring impact on the industry. Wes Craven's legacy continues to resonate with fans and filmmakers alike, ensuring that his contributions to cinema will never be forgotten.

On August 30, 2015, Wes Craven passed away, leaving behind a rich and diverse body of work that continues to inspire and terrify audiences to this day. His films remain timeless classics, testaments to his unparalleled creativity and vision. Wes Craven's fearless exploration of the darker aspects of human nature and his ability to tap into our deepest fears have solidified his legacy as one of the greatest horror filmmakers of all time.

Images

Filmograafia

Näitlemine

Scream 2

Doctor (uncredited)

1997

Two years after the first series of murders, as Sidney Prescott acclimates to college life, someone donning the Ghostface costume begins a new string of killings.

Scream

Fred the Janitor (uncredited)

1996

A year after the murder of her mother, a teenage girl is terrorized by a masked killer who targets her and her friends by using scary movies as part of a deadly game.

Scream 3

Man with Video Camera on Studio Tour (uncredited)

2000

While Sidney Prescott and her friends visit the Hollywood set of Stab 3, the third film based on the Woodsboro murders, another Ghostface killer rises to terrorize them.

Red Eye

Airline Passenger (uncredited)

2005

An overnight flight to Miami quickly becomes a battle for survival when Lisa realizes her seatmate plans to use her as part of a chilling assassination plot against the Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security. If she refuses to cooperate, her own father will be killed. As the miles tick by, she's in a race against time to find a way to warn the potential victims before it's too late.

Scream 4

Coroner (uncredited)

2011

Ten years have passed, and Sidney Prescott has put herself back together thanks to her writing. However, her return to Woodsboro sparks the return of the Ghostface Killer.

Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy

Self

2010

For decades, Freddy Krueger has slashed his way through the dreams of countless youngsters, scaring up over half a billion dollars at the box office across eight terrifying, spectacular films.

Crystal Lake Memories: The Complete History of Friday the 13th

Self

2013

Taking inspiration from Peter M. Bracke's definitive book of the same name, this seven-hour documentary dives into the making of all twelve Friday the 13th films, with all-new interviews from the cast and the crew.

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back

Wes Craven

2001

When Jay and Silent Bob learn that their comic-book alter egos, Bluntman and Chronic, have been sold to Hollywood as part of a big-screen movie that leaves them out of any royalties, the pair travels to Tinseltown to sabotage the production.

New Nightmare

Wes Craven

1994

Cast and crew from A Nightmare on Elm Street are terrorized by Freddy Krueger and his razor-fingered glove as he crosses over into the real world.

Diary of the Dead

Newsreader (voice) (uncredited)

2007

A terrified group of college film students record the pandemic rise of flesh-eating zombies while struggling for their own survival.

Body Bags

Pasty Faced Man

1993

A woman working the late shift at a gas station while a killer is on the loose; a man who can't stand the thought of losing his hair; a baseball player that submits to an eye transplant. An anthology of terror.

Paris Je T'aime

La victime de la vampire (Quartier de la Madeleine)

2006

Olivier Assayas, Gus Van Sant, Wes Craven and Alfonso Cuaron are among the 20 distinguished directors who contribute to this collection of 18 stories, each exploring a different aspect of Parisian life. The colourful characters in this drama include a pair of mimes, a husband trying to chose between his wife and his lover, and a married man who turns to a prostitute for advice.

Tootmine

Scream 2

Director

1997

Two years after the first series of murders, as Sidney Prescott acclimates to college life, someone donning the Ghostface costume begins a new string of killings.

Scream

Director

1996

A year after the murder of her mother, a teenage girl is terrorized by a masked killer who targets her and her friends by using scary movies as part of a deadly game.

A Nightmare on Elm Street

Writer

1984

Teenagers in a small town are dropping like flies, apparently in the grip of mass hysteria causing their suicides. A cop's daughter, Nancy Thompson, traces the cause to child molester Fred Krueger, who was burned alive by angry parents many years before. Krueger has now come back in the dreams of his killers' children, claiming their lives as his revenge. Nancy and her boyfriend, Glen, must devise a plan to lure the monster out of the realm of nightmares and into the real world...

Terrifier

In Memory Of

2018

A maniacal clown named Art terrorizes three young women on Halloween night and everyone else who stands in his way.

The Hills Have Eyes

Original Film Writer

2006

Based on Wes Craven's 1977 suspenseful cult classic, The Hills Have Eyes is the story of a family road trip that goes terrifyingly awry when the travelers become stranded in a government atomic zone. Miles from nowhere, the Carter family soon realizes the seemingly uninhabited wasteland is actually the breeding ground of a blood-thirsty mutant family...and they are the prey.

Scream 3

Director

2000

While Sidney Prescott and her friends visit the Hollywood set of Stab 3, the third film based on the Woodsboro murders, another Ghostface killer rises to terrorize them.

Freddy vs. Jason

Characters

2003

Freddy enlists Jason to kill on his behalf on Elm Street, after realizing that he can't haunt dreams because people no longer fear him.

Red Eye

Director

2005

Scream 4

Producer

2011

Ten years have passed, and Sidney Prescott has put herself back together thanks to her writing. However, her return to Woodsboro sparks the return of the Ghostface Killer.

The Hills Have Eyes 2

Characters

2007

A group of National Guard trainees on a routine mission find themselves up against cannibalistic mutants in the New Mexico desert.

A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 2: Freddy's Revenge

Characters

1985

Jesse Walsh moves with his family into the home of the lone survivor from a series of attacks by dream-stalking monster, Freddy Krueger. There, he is bedeviled by nightmares and inexplicably violent impulses.

The Last House on the Left

Original Film Writer

2009

When athletic teen Mari Collingwood opts to hang out with her friend Paige in town rather than spend an evening in with her parents vacationing at the family's remote lake house, it marks the beginning of a night no one is going to forget.

A Nightmare on Elm Street

Original Film Writer

2010

The film that brings back horror icon Freddy Krueger as a darker and more sinister character than ever before. While Freddy is on the prowl, a group of teenagers being stalked soon learn they all have a common factor making them targets for this twisted killer.

The Last House on the Left

Writer

1972

On the eve of her 17th birthday, Mari and friend Phyllis set off from her family home to attend a rock concert in the city. Attempting to score some drugs on the way, the pair run afoul of a group of vicious crooks, headed up by the sadistic Krug.

Pulse

Screenplay

2006

When the dead discover a means to contact the living through electronic devices, cellphones and computers become open gateways to monstrosities and destruction.

Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare

Characters

1991

Just when you thought it was safe to sleep, Freddy Krueger returns in this sixth installment of the Nightmare on Elm Street films, as psychologist Maggie Burroughs, tormented by recurring nightmares, meets a patient with the same horrific dreams. Their quest for answers leads to a certain house on Elm Street -- where the nightmares become reality.

Wishmaster

Executive Producer

1997

The Djinn having been released from his ancient prison seeks to capture the soul of the woman who discovered him, thereby opening a portal and freeing his fellow Djinn to take over the earth.

Swamp Thing

Writer

1982

Mutated by his own secret formula, Dr. Alec Holland becomes Swamp Thing; a half-human, half-plant superhero who will stop at nothing to rescue government agent Alice Cable and defeat his evil arch nemesis...Even if it costs him his life.

A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master

Characters

1988

Freddy Krueger is resurrected from his apparent demise, and rapidly tracks down and kills the remainder of the Elm Street kids. However, Kristen, who can draw others into her dreams, wills her special ability to her new friend, Alice.

Cursed

Director

2005

A werewolf loose in Los Angeles changes the lives of three young adults who, after being mauled by the beast, learn that the only way to break the curse put upon them is to kill the one who started it all.

New Nightmare

Executive Producer

1994

Cast and crew from A Nightmare on Elm Street are terrorized by Freddy Krueger and his razor-fingered glove as he crosses over into the real world.

A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Dream Child

Characters

1989

Alice finds the deadly dreams of Freddy Krueger starting once again. This time, the taunting murderer is striking through the sleeping mind of her unborn child.

Dracula 2000

Presenter

2000

When a team of techno-savvy thieves break into a high-security vault, they don't discover priceless works of art... they find a crypt unopened for 100 years.

Diary of the Dead

Thanks

2007

A terrified group of college film students record the pandemic rise of flesh-eating zombies while struggling for their own survival.

Feast

Executive Producer

2005

When a motley crew of strangers find themselves trapped in an isolated tavern, they must band together in a battle for survival against a family of flesh-hungry creatures.

A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors

Story

1987

During a hallucinatory incident, Kristen Parker has her wrists slashed by dream-stalking monster, Freddy Krueger. Her mother, mistaking the wounds for a suicide attempt, sends her to a psychiatric ward, where she joins a group of similarly troubled teens.

The Hills Have Eyes

Writer

1977

Taking an ill-advised detour en-route to California, the Carter family soon run into trouble when their RV breaks down in the middle of the desert. Stranded, they find themselves at the mercy of monstrous cannibals lurking in the surrounding hills.

Deadly Blessing

Screenplay

1981

When a former member of a religious cult dies in a mysterious accident, Martha, who now lives alone and close to the cult's church, begins to fear for her life and the lives of her visiting friends.

The Serpent and the Rainbow

Director

1988

A Harvard anthropologist is sent to Haiti to retrieve a strange powder that is said to have the power to bring human beings back from the dead. In his quest to find the miracle drug, the cynical scientist enters the rarely seen netherworld of walking zombies, blood rites and ancient curses. Based on the true life experiences of Wade Davis and filmed on location in Haiti, it's a frightening excursion into black magic and the supernatural.

The Breed

Executive Producer

2006

Brothers John and Matt have inherited an island cabin from their recently deceased uncle. Along with Matt's girlfriend, Nicki, and other mutual friends, the siblings travel to the cabin for a relaxing weekend getaway. But, not long after arriving, the group is besieged by ravenous dogs. They watch in horror as another vacationer, Luke, is eaten alive. Soon, they discover a training facility where the dogs have been bred to kill.

Paris Je T'aime

Writer

2006

The People Under the Stairs

Executive Producer

1991

Trapped inside a fortified home owned by a mysterious couple, a young boy quickly learns the true nature of the homicidal inhabitants, and secret creatures hidden deep within the walls.